Accidents: Igbinedion laments deaths on Ovia river bridge, urges FG to fix bad portions

A Nissan pick-up truck which plunged into the Ovia River in Ovia North East Local Government Area Edo State on Monday, following a multiple accident on the Ovia river bridge on Benin-Lagos Road, has been recovered from the river without the occupants whose number is yet unknown.

Recall that the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, had engaged local divers to rescue the occupants of the vehicle but the hope of finding them alive continue to dim as the accident occurred over 24 hours ago. Nonetheless, the divers continue the search for the victims.

The Edo Sector Commander, Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC), Paul Okpe, yesterday, confirmed that “the vehicle was pulled out but the divers are still trying to get the occupants, the vehicle is a Nissan Frontier pick-up”.

Shaibu was on a visit to the bridge following last Thursday accident that claimed 11 lives at the Ovia river bridge when he met the Monday accident and immediately paid local divers to rescue the victims from the river.

He was in the company of the state Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Ethan Uzamere and other senior government officials. The incident forced traffic to be diverted outwards at kilometre 19 on the Benin-Ore Expressway with adequate caution signs put in place which include reflective condone tapes and barricade to warn road users.

The Deputy Governor also announced that the state government has engaged the services of Levante construction company to commence palliatives in the area. The company has reportedly commenced work.

Meanwhile, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, has lamented the incessant cases of accidents that have claimed several lives at the Ovia river bridge.

The ex-lawmaker, while commiserating with the accident victims and bereaved families, said the accidents could be averted if the bad spot on the road was fixed and called on relevant authorities to urgently fix the road to avoid future occurrences.

“The lives of every Edolite matters and same for the lives of every Nigerian and other people using that road. There is a need for all stakeholders to do the needful for the betterment of our people.

“I am using this medium to call on all relevant authorities to give urgent attention to all failing roads and other infrastructures by relevant authorities to make life comfortable for the citizenry.

“I pray for the souls of the departed to rest in peace and wish the surviving victims of the accident speedy recovery”, Igbinedion said.